Stimson Room, New York City Bar Association, 42 West 44th Street, New York, NY

Proposals to drill for natural gas in the Marcellus Shale formation have generated controversy. The New York State DEC (NYSDEC) has received extensive comments on a draft environmental impact statement (EIS). Concerns have been raised that the draft EIS does not adequately address a number of issues, including surface and ground water pollution, cumulative impacts, alternatives, and potential impacts to New York City’s drinking water supply. Commenters also have questioned NYSDEC’s plan not to issue comprehensive regulations. Others have suggested that the draft EIS goes too far, will set the highest bar in the country for industry, and does not suffer from shortcomings alleged by certain commenters. This program will examine the issues from all of these perspectives.